Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and U.S. President Barack Obama take a walk before heading into their second meeting, at the Annenberg Retreat in California of the U.S., June 8, 2013. Xi Jinping met with Barack Obama for an informal summit in California's Sunnylands on June 7-8, 2013. Later this month, Xi will pay his first state visit to the U.S. since he took office in 2013. Here are four major meetings between Xi and Obama since 2013. (Xinhua file photo/Lan Hongguang)
BEIJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- President Xi is set to pay a state visit to the U.S., which is a milestone event in the history of China-U.S. relations.
The state visit is his 7th visit to the United States.
Since 1978, Chinese leaders have paid state visits to the United States. Xi’s upcoming visit will possess unusual significance in comparison to previous state visits made by his predecessors.
Despite the leading position and advantages maintained by the U.S., the gap between the world’s two largest economies has been narrowed, as China gains influence in the global arena.
In 2014, the U.S. and China became the first and the only two countries to see their GDP surpass 10 trillion dollars.
Although China’s rise has offered a world of opportunities, the U.S. has grown wary of being challenged by China.
There has been increased connection between China’s policies and U.S. strategic interests.
In the eyes of some Americans, China has become a rival who is becoming more and more difficult to deal with.
The U.S. declined to join the China-initiated Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, implying a mounting worry regarding China’s growing power in international financial mechanisms.
The potential for conflict between the two countries has increased, with both China and the U.S. competing in the Asia-Pacific region for strategic geographic leverage.
Since the 1990s, major flash points between the two countries have concentrated around Taiwan. Now, the flash points have extended to the East and South China Seas.
China-U.S. relations are full of uncertainties. If the U.S. succumbs to its worries, it will grow more emotional and aggressive. The situation will be compounded by a host of political factors and lead to negative changes that people are not willing to see.
However, it is exaggerated to say that China-U.S. relations are walking towards the “edge of a cliff” or facing a historic cut-off point. No matter what disputes or confrontations the two countries have, their strategies are not designed to hurt each other.
Bonded by the most important and complicated bilateral relations in the world, China and the U.S. will rise or fall together, and neither side has much to gain from the other’s weakness and insecurity.
The U.S. is China’s largest export market and the top destination for overseas students. The stability of China-U.S. relations is closely related to global and economic order.
China continues its efforts to strengthen the foundation of mutual trust in both politics and the economy. Recent talks on cyber security have yielded fruit. The negotiations on military communication and other areas are making progress.
A cool mind is needed to understand China-U.S. bilateral relations, without too much emphasis on their competition. Only if the two countries join hands can their relations benefit all.
Xi’s visit will not only signal good will to develop relations, but also bring confidence, encouragement and wisdom to solve these disputes and problems.
This article was translated by He Shan.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
(Source: China.org.cn)
Related:
Xi's U.S. visit to promote bilateral investment treaty negotiation: expert
NEW YORK, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to the United States will push forward the negotiation for a bilateral investment treaty between China and the United States, a Chinese scholar said here Friday.
Expanding investment cooperation will propel China-U.S. relations, said Huo Jianguo, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.Full Story
Spotlight: China, U.S. pin high hopes on Xi's visit for breakthrough in BIT talks
BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Pushing for earlier completion of their marathon talks on a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), both China and the United States have placed high hopes on President Xi Jinping's Sept. 22-25 state visit for a breakthrough.
But, as stumbling blocks in the way are not easy to remove, painstaking efforts from the world's first and second largest economies are demanded to conclude the BIT talks at an earlier date, so as to benefit both countries and the global economy. Full Story
Interview: U.S. governor expects more trade with China from Xi's upcoming visit
DES MOINES, United States, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. governor has said that he hopes Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the United States will bring his state more trade opportunities with China, especially in agriculture and renewable energy.
"We are very proud that Xi Jinping is now coming back to visit the United States as the president of the People's Republic of China," Iowa Governor Terry Branstad said in a recent interview with Xinhua on Xi's first state visit to Washington scheduled for next week.Full Story
